Charles d



(No Modl.)

C. D. IVES, T. H. SIMMONS & R. G. BALDWIN.

SEAL.

No. 452,050. Patented-May 12, 1891.

UNIIEDV STATES' A'rnNr Ien-Ion.

CHARLES D. Ivns,

THOMAS II. SIMMONS, AND RASOM G. BALDWIN,OF

CEDAR RAPIDS, lOl/VA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters atent No. 452,050, dated May 12,1891.

Application filed February 16 1891. Serial No. 381,661. (No model.)

-To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES D. IVES, THOMAS H. SIMMONS, and RANsoM G.BALD- WIN, citizens of the United States, residing at Cedar Rapids, inthe county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Seals; and we do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeing had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification,and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to seals of that class wherein a bendable stripis employed and so arranged that the strip has to be broken in order toremove the seal.

The object of the present invention is to lprovide an improved device ofthis character which shall be self-sealing without the use of a press,and which shall be simple, cheap, and durable, and efficient for'thepurpose for which it is intended. VVe provide ablock of some softmaterial, as lead, with a large opening at one end and a contractedopening at the opposite end, with a notch within the chamber of theblock to receive the end of the strip. The strip is provided withweakened portions, so` that it may be broken when it is desired to breakthe seal. One end of the sealing-strip is first inserted through thelarger openingof the block, and the said block then compressed thereonto firmly hold the said strip to the block. The ends of the strip areformed to interlock and thus hold together.

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will hereinafter appear,and the novel features thereof will be specifically defined by theappended claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of thisspecification, and in which- Figure 1 is a side view showing the stripsecured in the block and the ends thereof locked. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section through the line z z of Fig. 1, with the ends ofthe strip locked. Fig. 3 is a like view showing the parts in theposition they assume just before the ends interlock, the end being shownas just inserted in the smaller opening of the block. Fig. 4. is alongitudinal section through the block. Fig. 5 is a perspectivel view ofthe block. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the device complete, showingone end of the sealing-strip secured to the block and the other end freeand ready to'be inserted in the smaller opening therein.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews in which they occur.

Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates abendable sealing-strip of any suitable material and of the requiredlength. It is provided at each end. with a hook or analogous provisiona, which are slightly resilient, enough so to spring somewhat and thenresume their normal position when pressure thereon is removed. The stripis weakened at requisite places or place, as seen at b in this instance,being shown as provided with holes for this purpose; but it will bereadily understood that a notch upon each side at the required place orother analogous provision may be made to answer the same purpose.

B is a block of some soft material, preferably lead', and this is formedWith an interior chamber c, which at one end has a large opening CZ andat the other end a contracted opening e, as seen best in Fig. 4. Thechamber at the end where the smaller opening is formed is provided witha notch or recess f, which has an inclined lower wall, as shown at 9. v

In practice the one. end of the sealing-strip is placed in the largeropening of the block and its hook resting on the inclined wall of and inthe notch or recess f in the chamber of the block, as seen in Fig. 3,and then the block is compressed upon the strip, as seen in Figs. l,2,and 3. This firmly holds the strip to the block, as will be readilyunderstood. i

The other end of the sealing-strip is then inserted through the smalleropening in the block, as seen in Fig. 3, the hook end of the stripreadily iiattening, as seen in Fig. 3, till it has passed the hook onthe other end of the strip, when it springs out into its normalpositionand the two hooks interlock, as seen in Fig. 2. When thus lockedthey cannot'be separated, and the seal is broken by breaking thesealing-strip at the weakened part.

IOO

The station, number, railroad, and other desired data are to be printed,stamped, or otherwise affixed on the sealing-strip.

The device is simple, readily applied, and when once on is secure andprevents tampering with the seal.

What We claiml as new is- The sealing device herein described,consisting of a bendable sealing-strip having hooked ends, and a blockof soft material, as lead, formed With a chamber with a large opening atone end and a smaller opening at the other communicating with Ithelarger opening, with a recess Within the chamber at the smaller end, andhaving an inclined Wall for I5 the hook of the strip which is insertedfrom the larger opening, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that We claim the above We have hereunto subscribed ournames in the 2o presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES D. IVES.

THOMAS H. SIMMONS.

RANSOM G. BALDWIN. Witnesses:

W. H. MEYERs, L. A. ST JOHN.

